Scientific Info

Scientific evidence suggests that eating more foods containing zeaxanthin and/or having higher levels of zeaxanthin in your blood reduces your risk of AMD and cataracts:

• Lower macular zeaxanthin and lutein levels have been found in the eyes of individuals with AMD.¹
• Supplementation with zeaxanthin alone² or in combination with lutein³ showed an increase in macular pigment optical density in some studies.
• OPTISHARP™ and lutein have very recently been shown to be important for the development and/or maintenance of a normal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in primates. RPE plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy vision.⁴
• In one study, the risk of AMD was significantly lower (-50%; P=0.046) in people with higher zeaxanthin plasma concentrations.⁵
• In several epidemiological studies, higher dietary intakes and/or serum levels of zeaxanthin and lutein have been associated with a reduced risk of both AMD^6,7 and cataracts.^8,9,10
• In a recent study, supplementation with OPTISHARP™ was shown to lower contrast acuity thresholds and may improve visual performance at low illumination.¹¹

Odds Ratios for AMD as a function of plasma concentrations of zeaxanthin. (adapted from Gale et al., 2003⁵)

Relative risk for cataract vs. quintiles of zeaxanthin + lutein intake. (adapted from Lyle et al., 1999¹⁰)

1. Bone RA et al. Macular Pigment in Donor Eyes with and without AMD: A Case-Control Study. IOVS 2001;42(1):235-240 
2. Bone RA, et al. Lutein and Zeaxanthin dietary supplements raise macular pigment density and serum concentrations of these carotenoids in humans. J Nutr 2003;133:992-998 
3. Rodriguez-Carmona M, et al. Chromatic sensitivity changes in relation to Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) in human vision. 2004 ARVO Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Abstract 3438 
4. Neuringer M: Carotenoids, n-3 fatty acids and macular degeneration: Dietary studies in rhesus monkeys. Retinal Degeneration 2002, Bürgenstock, Switzerland 
5. Gale CR, et al. Lutein and Zeaxanthin status and risk of age-related macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44:2461-2465 
6. Seddon JM et al. Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A, C, E and advanced age-related macular degeneration. JAMA 1994;272(18):1413-1429 
7. Mares-Perlman JA, Klein R, Klein BE, Geger JL, Brady WE, Palta M, et al. Association of zinc and antioxidant nutrients with age-related maculopathy. Arch Ophtalmol 1996;114(8):991-997 
8. Brown L, et al. A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70(4):517-524 
9. Chasen-Taber L, et al. A prospective study of carotenoid and vitamin A intake and risk of cataract extraction in US women. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70(4):509-516 
10. Lyle BJ, et al. Antioxidant intake and the risk of incident age-related nuclear cataracts in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Am J Epidemiol 1999;149(9):801-809 
11. Kvansakul J, et al. Assessment of visual performance in relation to macular pigment density in human vision. 2004 ARVO Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Abstract 4340/B801